Downplaying intrusion, Omar calls it routine

Even as the government expressed confidence that the latest Chinese incursion into Indian territory in Ladakh would be resolved peacefully, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah dismissed it as a "routine occurrence". He, however, said the incursion was deeper than previous instances. Toufiq Rashid reports.

Even as the government expressed confidence that the latest Chinese incursion into Indian territory in Ladakh would be resolved peacefully, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah dismissed it as a "routine occurrence". He, however, said the incursion was deeper than previous instances.

"These are routine occurrences in areas where the border is not demarcated. They come inside our territory and in order to make their presence felt leave tell-tale signs like a tent or markings in Chinese on rocks," Abdullah told HT. "It's an extensive area where both the sides have differences about the Line of Control."

Abdullah, however, agreed that the current incursion was deep. "I cannot recall an incursion this deep in the recent past. That's why I believe the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has asked for a flag meeting."

"We would have to worry if the incursions are like Pakistan's in Kargil, " he added.